Why You Should Plan Your Photoshoot Around Your Cycle (and how I can support you every step of the way)
This might not be something you’ve ever thought about before… but your menstrual cycle can have a huge impact on how you feel in front of the camera.
And when it comes to brand photography, how you feel matters just as much as how things look.
Your energy shifts throughout the month (and that’s normal).
Across your cycle, your energy, mood, confidence and even how you see yourself can change. Some days you feel like that version of yourself - confident, clear, glowing - and other days… not so much. Instead of pushing through and hoping for the best, planning your brand photoshoot around when you feel your best can make a huge difference.
Personally, I feel my best during my follicular into ovulation phase. That’s when my energy is high, I feel more confident in my body and I’m generally more focussed and relaxed - things that make such a difference when you’re being photographed.
And I see this with clients too. When you feel good, it shows. You soften into it. You’re less in your head. The photos just work.
you know yourself best!
But this is the important bit - there is no “perfect” time that works for everyone. You know yourself best!
You might feel your best:
just after your period when things feel fresh
mid-cycle when your energy is higher
or even during quieter, slower phases where you feel more grounded
It’s your body, your rhythm, your version of feeling good. This is about tuning into you.
When we plan your shoot, I’ll always encourage you to think about when you feel most like yourself - because that’s the version of you we want to capture.
and this is where i come in!
Planning your shoot around your cycle is just one piece of the puzzle - my job is to take everything else off your plate. You don’t need to have it aaaaall figured out, that’s what I’m here for.
I can support you with:
building a shot list that actually reflects your brand
coming up with ideas that feel natural (not forced or overly “posed”)
location scouting - whether that’s your space or somewhere new
helping you choose outfits that feel like you
shaping the overall feel and story of your shoot
So if you’re thinking, “I like the idea of this but I have no clue where to start” - you’re in the right place. You can bring as much or as little as you want to the planning process and I’ll meet you there!
What if your cycle isn’t predictable?
Also worth saying that not everyone has a regular or predictable cycle (thanks endo, PCOS, etc), and that’s completely valid too! This isn’t about adding pressure or making things complicated. It’s just a gentle tool you can use if it helps. We can always plan in a way that feels flexible and supportive for you.
A note on perimenopause & menopause
I also want to acknowledge that this conversation doesn’t stop at menstrual cycles.
And as someone who isn’t in this stage of life yet, I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on it - because it deserves proper understanding and support.
What I do know is that your relationship with your body, your energy and how you show up can shift during perimenopause and menopause too. And that absolutely deserves to be considered when planning a shoot.
If this is something you’re navigating, I’d always recommend speaking to someone who specialises in this area and can properly support you. (I highly recommend Leona over at @indie.crone for support for self-employed folk in peri, menopause or post-menopause!)
And from a photography perspective, we can still build a shoot around how you want to feel, what feels comfortable and how you want to show up in this season of your life.
the bottom line
Your photoshoot shouldn’t feel like something you have to push through, it should feel like something that’s built around you. (And I plan shoots around my cycle too!)
From ideas to locations to the small details you didn’t even know you needed to think about, you’re in safe hands.
WANT TO BOOK A BRAND SHOOT WITH ME?
You can find the my current packages and prices here.
If you want to see a range of lovely brands I’ve worked with, check out Brand Stories.
